Image: Men’s hopefuls in training
Only 22 days remain, until the PNG Men’s National Football team, takes on Tahiti, in their stage 3, World Cup Qualifiers.
Flemming Serritslev, the Danish Coach, has been working on a positive approach, leading up to this crucial encounter, with international players forming the base of his squad.
On Sunday the 5th of March, the PNG men’s national team will assemble in their final preparation before that crucial qualifier.
Amidst initial public uncertainty over the make up of the team, and while this is a new look line up to 9 months ago, head coach, Flemming Serritslev has constantly been adamant, that the national team will be ready for Tahiti.
There is a difference between last year’s squad to 2017’s lineup. Names like David Browne, Jamie Woodlock, Aaron Spain, George Slefendorfas, and Brad Mcdonald have outlined the measures taken by Serritslev in his bid to bolster the team.
Having yet to play domestically, the inclusion of these overseas based players will boost the national team, although some members of the core remain, who incidentally ply their trade internationally as well.
Headlining these members are a dynamic duo, Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba – both men having secured crucial game time with clubs outside of the country in new Zealand and Malaysia respectively, and there is little doubt that with their added experience, Papua New Guinea will benefit immensely.
The opponents they face, Tahiti will be a difficult team to be pitted against. The difference 9 months on, is that this is a squad that has now matured. The OFC final first timers, are now heading into this encounter in a far more confident and wary nature than ever before. Papua New Guinea meets Tahiti on Saturday the 24th of March in Port Moresby.
